updated 10:34 pm EDT, Sun September 9, 2012

Streaming service might lower mobile subscription price

Popular music streaming service Spotify is preparing to launch a browser-based version of its product, a considerable overhaul of the service with a greater focus on music discovery. The news comes by way of TechCrunch, which spoke with unnamed sources who said the forthcoming browser-based version explains in part why the company has been updating its desktop app less frequently of recent. The redesign could, according to sources, come along with a price drop for Spotify's mobile app as well.

It's not certain whether the new browser-based Spotify will replace the current desktop model or simply function as another means of accessing the service. Moving toward a browser model would give Spotify more flexibility, as users would no longer need to download the full program in order to log into their accounts from any computer. The overhaul is also said to feature a greater focus on sharing and music discovery, with Spotify possibly even reaching out to recruit celebrities, musicians, and DJs to share playlists.

The company may also drop its ad-free and mobile service to about $8 per month. Spotify is reportedly looking to encourage mobile usage, and a lower price might prove attractive to more mobile users.

Spotify now tallies about 22.2 million monthly users, with about four million of those paying $5 a month for ad-free service or $10 a month for mobile access. The streaming service is reportedly now the number two revenue source for the music industry, but is far behind Apple's iTunes in terms of actual payments, something that has caused great controversy among artists.